Encounter Resources (ASX:ENR) has outlined multiple large, shallow copper oxide blankets extending more than 1km along strike at its Parbo copper system in Western Australia.
The company defined coherent domains of copper mineralisation above 0.4% copper (Cu) through geological modelling at Parbo, which forms part of its 100%-owned Yeneena Copper Project in WA’s Paterson Province.
Key drill intersections within or adjacent to the modelled wireframes include 52m @ 0.60% Cu from 42m, including 8m @ 2% Cu; 15m @ 1% Cu and 0.60% cobalt (Co) from 36m to end of hole; and 26.6m @ 0.60% Cu from 74.4m, including 8.1m @ 1% Cu from 79.6m.
The blankets extend more than 1km along strike and up to 800m wide within the 8km-long Parbo copper system. They also remain open, with Encounter noting that many areas of historical drilling did not effectively test the oxide profile.
The company says the blankets are potentially additive to the existing Tyrell inferred mineral resource estimate (MRE) of 2.9 million tonnes (Mt) @ 0.79% Cu, including 1.1Mt @ 1.27% Cu, at the northern end of the Parbo system.
Managing Director Will Robinson adds that the company has identified multiple zones of coherent copper oxide mineralisation at Parbo with significant lateral extent.
“Given the scale and near-surface nature of the mineralisation, combined with a strong copper price environment, these zones may have economic potential in their own right, and we are commencing initial metallurgical test work,” Robinson says.
“It is also the scale of anomaly you could expect above significant zones of copper sulphide at depth. Relative to the footprint of the copper anomalism, there has been minimal deep drilling to target large sulphide bodies.”
The company collected samples of copper oxide mineralisation from the blanket for sighter metallurgical test work, which will include leach testing to provide an early indication of copper recoveries and reagent consumption.
Many deeper holes at depth have also intersected broad and ‘high-grade’ copper sulphide zones, including 140.5m @ 0.20% Cu from 144m, including 1.3m @ 3.20% Cu.
“Parbo is an incredible copper system with a host of near-surface oxide targets and sulphide targets at depth. The team is currently evaluating the best drill plan to grow the copper oxide MRE and make further discoveries near-surface and at depth,” Robinson says.
Encounter expects assays from three diamond drill holes at the Tyrell, Maitland, and Griffin prospects within Parbo next month. Meanwhile, planning is underway for the next phase of drilling to infill and extend the blanket and test for copper sulphides at depth.
The company is also conducting a strategic review of its extensive copper project portfolio across Western Australia and the Northern Territory to evaluate opportunities to accelerate their advancement.
Encounter Resources is a mineral explorer focused on the discovery of major copper and critical mineral deposits, including niobium and rare earths.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Main image: Encounter Resources
